Thread Number: 84584
/ Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
Sewage Smell Sign of FL Washer Spider Corrosion? |
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Post# 1089957   9/20/2020 at 00:14 (1,286 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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My MIL has a 2 year old front load LG washer and when it drains the water smells like sewage. Her washer smells fine and seems pretty clean. She has been regularly using bleach with the tub clean cycle and that hasn't made a difference. I wouldn't say her wash habits are terrible as she tends to be heavy-handed with detergent and cold washes are seldom used.
I am now wondering if the smell is a result of the spider starting to corrode. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with something like this? |
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Post# 1089987 , Reply# 2   9/20/2020 at 08:06 (1,285 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))   |   | |
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It could be the house rather than the washer. I seem to remember something like that in my OKC house. If the inside of the machine smelled like sewage I think that would be detectable with it not running. But you only smell it when it drains. Besides, your MIL seems to be doing everything right.
Try a cup (or two) of bleach directly into the plumbing drain and wait an hour. Then fill the washer with HOT (if that's even possible these days) and pump it out immediately while it's still hot.
If that doesn't do it, the vent (on the roof) may be plugged and the plumbing is farting the air it swallows in drain mode back into the house (along with its own special additive).
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Post# 1089996 , Reply# 3   9/20/2020 at 08:57 (1,285 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)   |   | |
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maybe its something with the plumbing in the house or if her local city is doing work on the sewer system on her street is she hook up on the aquduct system in her city or do she has a spetic drain system for her house if she on a septic system for her house maybe she need to have that clean up i do not know
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Post# 1090001 , Reply# 4   9/20/2020 at 10:26 (1,285 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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Thanks for the responses. It's definitely not the plumbing that stinks. It's the water from the machine. The pump filter is clean and when you drain the water from the filter it will be stinky too. I have removed the dispenser drawer and cleaned it. There was a little mildew but no odor.
They exclusively use All Plus F&C liquid from Costco (Henkel) and Downy F&G. |
Post# 1090002 , Reply# 5   9/20/2020 at 10:28 (1,285 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Post# 1090013 , Reply# 6   9/20/2020 at 11:32 (1,285 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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Post# 1090029 , Reply# 8   9/20/2020 at 14:29 (1,285 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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It is pretty normal the water that sits in the drain pump and drain hose to develop quite an odor, usually you will only notice this on the first load of the day.
If the machine does not stink there is probably nothing to worry about.
Reply #7 I would love to see what detergent build-up looks like in a washer, the only place I have ever seen DBU is spilled dry or liquid detergent on the top of a washer.
Detergents dissolve easily in hot or cold, hard or soft water and if any was ever left behind it would easily rinse off just like spilled detergent on the top of a washer.
John L. |
Post# 1090031 , Reply# 9   9/20/2020 at 14:57 (1,285 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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I've had this problem with a Frigidaire Affinity and currently an early Maytag Neptune. I've used liquid and powder in both machines. I haven't done anything about it on the Neptune yet, and John is correct that it only happens on the first drain with the first load after the washer has been sitting. Since the Neptune is in the basement, I'm usually not around to smell it.
The Affinity was centrally located and the smell became annoying. I followed instructions for running a "clean washer" cycle, which called for bleach and hot water, and as soon as the initial drain sequence started, I shut the machine off and let that bleach solution sit in the pump for a while (maybe even overnight). It helped, but wasn't a permanent solution.
That pump eventually needed to be replaced and that's when I got my proof. After I installed the new pump, there was no smell.
I've also been advised by members here to use a good dose of powdered dishwasher detergent for the cleaning process. I may try that with the Neptune, but first I'm trying an exclusive Gain powder regimen to see if that helps. |
Post# 1090036 , Reply# 10   9/20/2020 at 15:16 (1,285 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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First and foremost pump needs to be checked to see if it wants cleaning out.
After that main issue is bilge water that has been sitting since last use that has begun to go off. This can be caused by final rinse water not being "clean", and or build-up of bio-film or something between pump and end of hose. There will always be water left not just in sump but pump, drain and part of hose as well when cycles end. If conditions are right (warm weather, too long between next use, matter left in water....), the water will do what water does when left stagnant; develop a whiff. First bit of water out of machine when it drains after sitting for a while is what has been sitting since last use. Balance and subsequent water is "fresh", that is coming after being used. Best defense in such situations is a good offense; regular hot washes (at least 140F), and or maybe 100F but either way using a good detergent and adding bleach (oxygen or chlorine). Also you want to look at final rinse water, it should be "clear" or at least free of muck and other matter. If you're still seeing scum as water drains before final spin, that water is going to sit in machine until next use. |
Post# 1090040 , Reply# 11   9/20/2020 at 16:02 (1,285 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 1090044 , Reply# 12   9/20/2020 at 16:12 (1,285 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Noticed some time ago SQ front loaders at local laundromat had developed a whiff. Sticking one's head into larger machines it was quite a pronounced mould smell. These machines don't have pumps, but drain valves that dump water into a trough which in turn leads to drain.
Attendant leaves doors wide open at closing, so there must be something else going on. |
Post# 1090046 , Reply# 13   9/20/2020 at 16:24 (1,285 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Post# 1090060 , Reply# 14   9/20/2020 at 18:32 (1,285 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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Thanks so much for your responses! I have noticed this odor quite a few times and it's not just during the first wash of the day. They rarely use very hot, steam or sanitary washes. They use the permanent press, towels and quick cycles mostly. I feel like many loads could use an extra rinse because there are some suds/cloudiness in the final rinse.
I was researching this last night and ended up on some bike website that was talking about how when aluminum corrodes it gives of hydrogen sulfide gas. That's what made me think the issue is the spider. |
Post# 1090096 , Reply# 15   9/21/2020 at 00:00 (1,285 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Easiest way to test...
Just set washer to fill in normal cycle. After filling is over and machine starts stop, cancel cycle and set to "drain". If you're getting that whiff of foul water, then something needs attending. Then again if it is only the first bit of water that drains after wash, and no one is bothered, leave em enjoy themselves. |
Post# 1090209 , Reply# 20   9/21/2020 at 22:21 (1,284 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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Great advice, thanks everyone! I am starting to suspect there is an accumulation of gunk either in the pump itself or in the washer drain hose. The coin trap filter is clean. I guess we could disassemble the washer to get to the pump, clean that out and either clean the drain hose or replace it.
One thing I'm thinking of trying is opening the door towards the end of the wash cycle and take a deep whiff to see if there are any off odors. If there isn't and then the drain water stinks, it's somewhere within the drain system. And the permanent press and towels cycles use plenty of warm/hot water. I am slightly concerned they use the quick cycle too often with more clothes and detergent than they should. |
Post# 1090211 , Reply# 21   9/21/2020 at 22:26 (1,284 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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Post# 1090213 , Reply# 22   9/21/2020 at 22:50 (1,284 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Post# 1090224 , Reply# 23   9/22/2020 at 00:10 (1,284 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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Post# 1090235 , Reply# 24   9/22/2020 at 07:22 (1,283 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)   |   | |
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If the above suggestions don't help then I suggest you remove the drain pump and sump pipes and see if there is an accumulation of grot, Quite often the pump itself is the culprit as there is a gap behind the face if you pull the impeller its held there by magnetism so should have a little resistance, You will see in the space behind grey coloured gunge try cleaning it out and see if that helps.!
Good luck Austin |
Post# 1090237 , Reply# 25   9/22/2020 at 07:39 (1,283 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))   |   | |
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Don't think that corrosion would cause a sewage like smell. Corrosion itself doesn't really leak much chemicals into the air. And that sewage smell is usually some biological thing. |
Post# 1090325 , Reply# 26   9/22/2020 at 23:02 (1,283 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)   |   | |
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They should be running the hottest wash possible at least once a week.
And also run full cycles, none of this quick wash crap.
With an extra rinse standard.
Anyway, that's how I do it, and my Neptune 7500 hasn't had a stink issue for the 20 years I've owned it. It drains directly into a copper stand pipe that is properly vented through the roof.
I run at least one hot wash load per week - usually bath towels. Sometimes whites, but for the past decade or so those go to the Miele out back which heats much higher than the Neptune (170F vs. 130F).
The Miele doesn't stink, either.
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Post# 1090327 , Reply# 27   9/23/2020 at 00:04 (1,283 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)   |   | |
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running a clean washer cycle with like a cup of LCB.......all that draining bleach water throughout the machine I would think would kill anything it comes into contact with.
Most of the time (not always) I end with the last load of whites with a long cycle and bleach (especially if I know I won't be doing laundry for a few days.) |
Post# 1090331 , Reply# 28   9/23/2020 at 03:50 (1,282 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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It's probably the concertina hose from the machine drum to the pump. My little Asko got a hole poked in that hose once upon a time when Tony left a pair of tweezers in a pocket so I changed it out. The old hose stunk to high heaven but the washer itself never did. All those little folds to make the hose flexible catch crap and it stays wet so it begins to grow.....even using clorox in EVERY white load didn't stop that from happening. |
Post# 1090347 , Reply# 29   9/23/2020 at 10:06 (1,282 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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I totally agree their usage patterns are likely causing the stink issue. They don't have loads of whites to wash, so have no need to use LCB or oxygen bleach in any regular loads. I'm going to suggest they switch to Tide powder instead of the liquid All but they really love that detergent and it's pretty cheap at Costco.
They are doing many more tub clean cycles with bleach but I'll suggest they use the sanitary instead. I don't think the regular tub clean cycle heats the water at all. I'll have to see if they can add steam to that cycle. |
Post# 1090358 , Reply# 30   9/23/2020 at 11:30 (1,282 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 1090395 , Reply# 31   9/23/2020 at 15:22 (1,282 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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Post# 1090396 , Reply# 32   9/23/2020 at 15:34 (1,282 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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Post# 1090397 , Reply# 33   9/23/2020 at 15:45 (1,282 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 1090457 , Reply# 34   9/24/2020 at 02:29 (1,282 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)   |   | |
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Post# 1090464 , Reply# 35   9/24/2020 at 07:10 (1,281 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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Washing things in hot water, It simply depends how hot the water is, on my SQ FL Washer I have only used the hot setting ever for everything for 15 years now.
My gas WH puts out hot water in the 130-135 range and I end up with about 120 F in the wash cycle which as far as I can tell has never ruined anything.
My SQ does have a heater that will boost the wash temp to approximately 150F, I have probably used this setting maybe 20-30 times since I got the washer, It makes the wash cycle go from around 10 minutes to more than 30 minutes, I guess it helps but I never disappointed with my wash without it and it uses a lot of electricity.
John |
Post# 1090558 , Reply# 36   9/24/2020 at 16:51 (1,281 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)   |   | |
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Well I can assure you that 170F in my Miele 1918A will shrink white gym socks and render the elastic threads in tidy whities and socks useless.
The Neptune 7500 will heat to 130F, which is not as destructive but still gets them over time, so I got tired of having to toss old white things so now I wash the white socks and budgie smugglers on warm with the other warm stuff (like colored shirts and pants). |
Post# 1090605 , Reply# 37   9/25/2020 at 02:03 (1,281 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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Post# 1090980 , Reply# 38   9/28/2020 at 04:59 (1,277 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)   |   | |
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That's exactly why I only buy white towels and washclothes.
I'll never forget visiting my cousins house and staying with them. I took a shower and grabbed one of their fluffy green towels and it smelled TERRIBLE. I'm like WTF??? I had no choice but to dry off with it and I felt like I needed another shower. The best way I can describe the smell was a mix of mildew with fabric softener. Did I say something? HELL NO! (LOL) I mean, how do you tell someone their towels stink? How do they not notice this themselves? About the sanitary cycle. I've used my santitary cycle on my duet maybe 30/40 times in over 15 years. Not that often. It does get hot. Even though I don't use it, I like that the washer has the capability to get as hot as a dishwasher if you need it. I think my duet reaches 153 degrees F Max if I remember the literature. I know it's in the 150s |
Post# 1090990 , Reply# 39   9/28/2020 at 06:54 (1,277 days old) by jamiel (Detroit, Michigan and Palm Springs, CA)   |   | |
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Before we started living together my husband did his laundry in a cheap TL washer with cool water and cheap detergent---I noticed that things once he moved in stank...after washing with some serious detergent and temperature all was well. Every so often I'll find something that's been put away (we're in a big purge mode cleaning out 12 years of accumulated stuff) that has that stink---a good hot wash or two will set it right.
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Post# 1091002 , Reply# 40   9/28/2020 at 08:19 (1,277 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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I agree hot washes really make a difference! There was one time her towels stunk and it was during a time they were using Dreft. The smell disappeared when they switched back to the Costco All liquid.
My own towels are colored and we have a terrible Frigidaire that only allows the hottest wash to be 100F. I use Tide free powder on my towels and they have no smell other than just smelling clean. I too struggled with an off odor in my towels before but switching to the powdered Tide took care of that. |
Post# 1091003 , Reply# 41   9/28/2020 at 08:26 (1,277 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 1091025 , Reply# 42   9/28/2020 at 12:22 (1,277 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)   |   | |
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All the temperatures are built into my 1963 Whirlpool washer, and cycle #4 is the only cold water wash and the rest are only hot or medium/warm. I wash most things on cycle #3 since that’s a warm wash despite it saying medium.
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Post# 1091054 , Reply# 43   9/28/2020 at 16:29 (1,277 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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Post# 1091077 , Reply# 44   9/28/2020 at 18:43 (1,277 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)   |   | |
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